Improvement in hat-irons



1. W; cuazv.

Hat-Irons.

N0.'|49,103, Patented March 31,1874.

WT InvenTor.

i W 55 7 I NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMnsw. COREY, or NEWARK, NEW JERSEY.

* IMPROVEMENT IN HAT-IRONS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 149,103, dated March 31, 1874; application filed March 18, 1874.

the following is a specification:

This invention has for its object to furnish a simple and effective implement, by means of which the operation of flanging, curling, and

shaping hat-brims may be performed in an eX- peditious' and thorough manner without reversing or changing the position of the implement 111 the hand of the operator. The invention consists in an iron or hollow block, which is capable of being heated by any convenient means, and provided on one of its faces with grooves or channels varying in size and corresponding in form with the shape it is desired to impart to the hat-brim, said grooves being designed to embrace the edge of the brim and be moved on the same, so as to curl or flange the brim in a manner to be determined by the form of the grooves in the implement, one of the faces of the implement being also of such a form as to adapt the same for ironing the inner portion of the brim after the same has been properly shaped.

In the accompanying drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, and Fig. 3 a top view thereof.

The block or iron A, which is of a quadrilateral form, is made hollow, for the purpose of receiving a suitable heating medium, such as a heated block of metal, and it is also pro vided with a sliding cover, B, for closing the recess in the iron. One face of the iron A is provided with two grooves or channels, 0 D, varying in size from each other, and made of such a form or configuration as will serve to impart to the hat-brim a flanged or curled edge when the iron is drawn over the same. The larger groove or channel is employed for shaping the brim at the sides of the body, as the brim is at this point curled or flanged to its greatest extent. The smaller groove D is used for shaping the front and rear of the brim, as the same requires to be turned only to a slight extent in comparison with the sides of the brim. The form'or configuration of the grooves or channels of the iron is, of course, determined as fashion or fancy may dictate, but

invariably the grooves are of such form that they will serve to receive the edge of the brim for operating on both .sides of the same, in order to produce a flanged or curled edge of the requisite shape with ease and facility. The raised ridge or portion E of the iron between the two grooves is made slightly concave, so as to enable it to be used for operation on the extreme edge of the brim, and to remove such inequalities of surface as may exist in the brim of the hat. I11 order to facilitate the handling of the implement, I provide the same with handles F on two of its sides, which will permit the iron to be grasped in the hand of the operator, and to be used for shaping the entire brim without changing or reversing the working-surface of the implement. One of the end faces G of theblock or iron is made slightly convex, so as to answer for ironing the outer rim of the hat after the termination of the shaping operation.

It is evident that the ridge E intervening between the grooves O D may be extended to any desired or required length, so that its side can be made to pass or sweep over the entire surface of the inner rim as the iron is passed or reciprocated along the edge of the brim during the process of flanging, curling, and shaping such brim.

In some instances I propose to form the grooves C I) on a metal plate separate from the body of the iron, and connect the two to gether by means of screws, pins, or lugs, so as to be rigidly connected, when desired, but capable of removal when injured, or when desired to substitute anew plate bearing different forms of grooves, constructed according to the changes of the fashion.

By this means the plate can be constructed and applied to the irons now in use; and, furthermore, I, in some instances, intend to coat or line the ironing face or faces with a suitable metal or alloy, so as to protect the same against moisture and add to its smoothness.

An implement constructed as above described possesses manifold advantages, of which the most salient features may be considered to be the ease and facility with which the same may be moved along the hat-brim to embrace both sides and the surrounding edges of the same, and thus shape the brim into the desired form.

The reciprocation of the implement over the entire brim can be effected without reversing the working face, and, as the grooves are curved to conform to the shape of the brim, the movement of the implement is rendered perfect and regular for producing a flanged or curled brim of a uniform shape.

I claim 1. An implement for flanging, shaping, and curling hat-brims, consisting of a block or iron, A, having grooves O D on one of its faces for operation upon the sides and front and rear of the brim, substantially as described.

2. In a hatters implement or iron provided with two grooves, G D, the intervening ridge or raised portion E, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

3. A hatters implement provided with an ironingsurface, Gr, handles F, grooves O D', and ridge E, substantially as herein shown and described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 18th day of March, 1874.

JAMES W. COREY. Witnesses:

JAMES L. Nonnrs, A. H. Nonnrs. 

